September is festival month in Maritime Greenwich

September is Festival Month in Maritime Greenwich when this beautiful corner of south east London comes alive with a series of special events ranging from light classical music, jazz and street entertainment to a challenging 22-mile river Thames boat race from Richmond to Greenwich on Saturday, 8 September.

There’s also a chance to see inside some of the beautiful iconic buildings for free as part of the London-wide ‘Open House’ weekend on 15 – 16 September, and between 20 – 30 September the ten-day Riverfront Jazz Festival will offer every style of jazz played in a selection of local venues.

A car free day on Saturday, 22 September will enable visitors to enjoy the village atmosphere and open market in a traffic free environment, while being entertained by free street performances and musicians.

This year’s Maritime Greenwich Festival Month also marks the tenth anniversary since the town centre was awarded World Heritage Site status for its architectural, scientific, maritime and royal associations.

Great River Race finishes at Maritime Greenwich on Saturday 8 September

Visitors to Maritime Greenwich on Saturday afternoon, 8 September will be able to watch the exciting final stages of the annual 22-mile Great River Race, Greatriverrace.co.uk, from various locations along the riverside. The challenging race down the Thames starts from Richmond in Surrey and finishes at Island Gardens opposite the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

Any traditional-style, coxed boat, propelled by a minimum of four oars or paddles, without sliding seats or riggers, may take part. Each boat is computer-handicapped according to its potential performance, so everyone has an equal chance in this ‘slowest away first, fastest last’ handicap race. Every year brings a new and unusual boat to test the handicappers.

The winners, who are expected to arrive around 4pm, will receive the Challenge Trophy of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames and become the 2007 UK Traditional Boat Champions. Every competitor will qualify for a coveted hand-lettered participation certificate.

Open House events at Maritime Greenwich 15 – 16 September

Several of Maritime Greenwich’s beautiful iconic buildings and hidden architectural treasures, some of which are not generally open to the public, will be welcoming visitors free of charge on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 September as part of the ‘Open House’ London weekend, Openhouse.org.uk.

The architectural event provides an opportunity to experience buildings in the flesh and encourages a better understanding of fine architecture and urban development.

A diverse range of important buildings will be opening under the initiative in and around the World Heritage Site including historic houses, museums, education and entertainment centres, a hospital and several sites within the Old Royal Naval College.

Between 10am and 4.30pm both days visitors to the College can join a guided tour taking in the Admiral’s House, Victorian Skittle Alley, Jacobean Undercroft, Nelson Room exhibition and ‘Samuel Pepys’ character performances in the Painted Hall. On Sunday only they will also be able to visit the King Charles, King William, Queen Anne and Queen Mary Courts all of which were designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

The King Charles building was originally intended as the ‘King’s House’ of 1664-69, and although it was never completed, it became the cornerstone for Wren’s subsequent design. Visitors interested in taking a tour should go to the information desk in the Grand Square at the Old Royal Naval College or log on to Oldroyalnavalcollege.org.

Amongst the other sites opening is the Caird maritime reference library at the National Maritime Museum. This has a Grade I listed interior rotunda entrance designed by Lutyens and contains around 15,000 rare books and manuscripts in its 1937 oak-lined, Lutyens inspired reading room. Also open will be the Ranger’s House - home of the Wernher Collection; Dreadnought Library and St Alfege Church.

Open air concert at the Old Royal Naval College 16 September

The Boehm Clarinet Quartet and Indigo Saxophone Quartet will present a delightful programme of light classical music in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College at Maritime Greenwich on Sunday, 16 September in partnership with Trinity College of Music, Oldroyalnavalcollege.org. The College is set in landscaped grounds alongside the River Thames in the centre of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site.

Starting at 1pm the afternoon’s free entertainment is part of the ‘Open House’ London weekend when a diverse range of important buildings will be opening to the public. Between 10am and 4.30pm visitors to the College can also join a guided tour and visit the Royal Courts which were designed by Sir Christopher Wren.

Full details of all the Maritime Greenwich festival month events, prices and how to book, where relevant, visit Greenwhichwhs.org.uk.

Maritime Greenwich is easily reached via the Docklands Light Railway alighting at Cutty Sark, or by main line train from four central London stations, namely Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Waterloo East and London Bridge. Alternatively there are several bus services coming through Greenwich or visitors can arrive by passenger boat at Greenwich Pier.